Chocolate processing machine

Abstract

A chocolate tempering machine is digitally programmable for controlling the heating, cooling and rotation within the machine. The machine may be programmed to enable agitated, liquid chocolate to retain its proper viscosity for extended periods of time as well as minimizing the amount of porosity in the final product and by controlling bowl rotation length of time, as well as automatically increasing heat at given timed intervals. The machine includes a menu program, whereby a user can adjust and save up to twenty-six different temperature menus or more. This menu program can also be accessed to set and save desired cool down temperatures. Sensors are located such that ambient air and relative humidity can be sensed and audio/visual warnings are provided to the user when these conditions must be altered. A wear-resistant ring for leveling purposes for the machine's bowl also serves to prevent contamination of the interior of the machine. Software adjustment is permitted to select either 110v or 220v operation. A visual feedback real-time clock display is provided to the user corresponding to a specific timed software function. The machine is also provided with a data port for interfacing with external computer-programming units.

1. A chocolate tempering machine comprising:
 a casing having a top surface with an opening and an interior; 
 a bowl for holding chocolate, adapted to be inserted in the casing opening and having a lip; 
 a baffle to be inserted within the bowl; 
 means for causing relative rotation between the bowl and the baffle; 
 means for heating the bowl to a given temperature to create a molten pool of chocolate within the bowl and to automatically maintain the pool at the given temperature; 
 means for cooling the bowl; 
 means for sensing the temperature of the molten pool of chocolate; and, 
 digital, programmable means for controlling the heating means, cooling means and rotation means within the machine. 
 
   
   
     2. The machine of  claim 1 , including
 means for sensing relative humidity within the machine, 
 means for setting pre-determined high and low relative humidity limits, and, 
 means for providing a warning when a pre-determined relative humidity limit is reached. 
 
   
   
     3. The machine of  claim 1 , including
 means for sensing ambient air temperature within the machine, 
 means for setting pre-determined high and low ambient temperature limits, and, 
 means for providing a warning when a pre-determined machine ambient air temperature limit is reached. 
 
   
   
     4. The machine of  claim 1  including a ring positioned between the top surface of the casing and the bowl lip to provide stability to the bowl while preventing contamination of the casing interior from the bowl. 
   
   
     5. The machine of  claim 1  including a data port for interfacing with external computer programming units. 
   
   
     6. The machine of  claim 1  including digital programmable means for selecting operating voltage for the machine. 
   
   
     7. The machine of  claim 1  that includes means for making incremental changes in the temperature of the heat applied to the bowl by the heating means. 
   
   
     8. The machine of  claim 1 , including
 a clock display. 
 
   
   
     9. The chocolate tempering machine of  claim 7 , including
 means for providing an additional cooling cycle for the chocolate. 
 
   
   
     10. The machine of  claim 1  including
 means for causing relative rotation between the between the bowl and the baffle and means for heating the bowl over extended periods of time; and, 
 means for timing both the length of relative rotation and the heating of the bowl. 
 
   
   
     11. The machine of  claim 1 , including
 means for selecting a temperature and time cycle for the heating and cooling means for the heating and cooling of chocolate within the machine to form a recipe; 
 means for storing a plurality of recipes to form a menu; and, 
 means for recalling a recipe from the menu for later use.